Method of assembling a plurality of containers with a resilient constricted band packaging device



March 1966 c. WHITEFORD 3,242,631

METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A PLURALITY OF CONTAINERS WITH A RESILIENTCONSTRICTED BAND PACKAGING DEVICE Filed Dec. 28, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2FIG. 4

u b c INVENTOR.

CARLTON L. WHITEFORD ATTORNEY.

United States Patent METHOD OF ASSEMBLWG A PLURALITY 0F CONTAINERS WITHA RESILIENT CON- STRICTED BAND PACKAGING DEVICE Carlton L. Whiteford,New Canaan, onn., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to R. A. Jones 8; (10., Inc, Covington, Ky., acorporation of Kentucky Filed Dec. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 247,920 12 Claims.(Cl. 53-35) This invention relates to a method of assembling a pluralityof chined or bead type containers with a resilient thermoplasticcarrier-packaging device of the type described in my copendingapplication Serial No. 861,015 filed December 12, 1959.

The thermoplastic carrier-packaging device of the above identifiedapplication comprises a conformed sheet of thermoplastic material havinga plurality of discrete, shallow, container-receiving-receptaclesprojecting from one side of a Web means. The package formed by thecarrier-packaging device is assembled by inserting one end of acontainer into each of the shallow receptacles. Thus, one end of thepackaged containers is telescoped within the shallow receptacles of thepackaging device and the remaining portion of the containers projectfreely therefrom. To removably secure the containers within thepackaging device a constricted band is incorporated hi each pocketdefining said receptacles. The constricted band is of the sameconfiguration as the container, i.e., circular, rectangular or oval, butof a smaller peripheral dimension. As the containers are inserted withinthe receptacles the constricted band is stretched and placed in tensionabout the container. Thus, each container is removably secured withinits respective receptacle and suspended from the web means which isprovided with finger grips or handle means whereby the plurality ofcontainers are carried. In order to obtain the most compact package, andone which is also very rigid, it is necessary that the containers bepackaged so that they are held in forced abutment, whereby the rigidityof the containers is imparted to the package. Thus, the resilientpackaging device must be placed in tension once the containers areassembled therewith. To this end, the center to center distance betweenadjacent container-receiving-receptacles of the packaging device is madeno greater than, and preferably slightly less than the distance betweencenters of abutting containers to be telescoped within correspondingadjacent shallow receptacles of the packaging device. Thus the resilientpackaging device is placed in tension and this tension in turn forcesone container against the adjacent containers.

In view of the foregoing it will be obvious that the material definingthe receptacles, and particularly the discrete tension bands, aresubstantially in contact at the points of adjacency. As a result it isdifiicult, if not impossible, to force two containers simultaneouslyinto adjacent receptacles because the material therebetween is pinchedbetween th enlarged chines or beads of abutting containers. As a resultthe packaging device must be pre-stretched to open up and separate thereceptacles to facilitate assembly or according to this invention ashereinafter fully described it is also possible to mak the assemblywithout pre-stretching the packaging device or sacrificing rigidity andcompactness.

As stated above, the necessity for stretching the pack aging device isto allow the containers to be spaced apart during assembly to preventbinding of the material of the packaging device between the beads ofadjacent containers. I hav discovered that the same effect can beobtained, without pre-stretching the packaging device to allow spacedassembly of the containers, by dividing the plurality of clusteredcontainers to be packaged into at least two groups wherein each conainerof the group is remote from, or spaced from, each other container ofthat group. For example, to assemble three containers with acarrier-packaging device having a row of three constricted receptacles,which are on equal or slightly smaller center to center distances thanthe three correspondingly arranged containers, the two end contain ersof the row (the remote or non-contiguous containers), ar inserted intotheir respective receptacles prior to the insertion of the centercontainer or vice-versa. To assemble four containers with acarrier-packaging device having two parallel rows containing twoconstricted receptacles which are on equal or smaller center to centerdistances than the correspondingly clustered containers, the containersdefining diagonally opposed corners of the cluster (the remote ornon-contiguous containers), are inserted into their respective pocketsprior to the assembly of the remaining pair of containers.

By dividing the clustered containers to be packaged into groups ofspaced containers which are simultaneously telescoped within theirrespective spaced receptacles the material defining thecontainer-receiving receptacles into which the first group of containersis assembled is allowed to freely expand or stretch without interferingwith the simultaneously expanding material of an adjacent receptaclealso receiving a container.

Therefore a general object of this invention is to provide a novelmethod of assembling a plurality of clustered containers with aresilient, thermoplastic, constricted band packaging device, in whichthe center to center distance between adjacent receptacles of thepackaging device is not substantially greater than the correspondingcenter to center distance between adjacent clustered containers, whereinpredetermined groups of containers within said cluster are assembledprior to the remaining containers of said cluster or wherein each groupare moved into assembly simultaneously with one group leading the other.That is, both groups are moved into assembly simultaneously but onegroup is fully socketed or telescoped into its respective receptaclesprior to the other.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide a method ofassembling a plurality of beaded or chined cans with a constricted bandpackaging device having a like plurality of can receiving receptacles ona slightly smaller center to center distance than the center to centerdistance between adjacent abutting cans.

Additional objects and advantages of the method according to thisinvention will be readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the annexed schematic drawings illustrating the inventionwherein:

FIG. 1 is a partly expanded schematic view of six clustered containerscorresponding with the clustered receptacles of a carrier-packagingdevice wherein the center to center distance between the receptacles ofthe carrying device are no greater than the distance between centers ofthe correspondingly clustered containers when in head to beadengagement;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the co-action between canswhereby the packaging device is stretched or placed in tension uponcomplete assembly of the package according to the method of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is a detailed or enlarged view of the encircled area of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates th method according to thisinvention in assembling packages other than previously illustrated.

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a generally schematic View of the elements ofa package to be assembled according to this invention. For purposes ofillustration the package elements are inverted relative to their normalposition, however, the containers 1 to 6 of container cluster 10 may belifted upwardly into assembled relation with the packaging devicegenerally designated 20, as well as being pushed downwardly as shown.The cluster of cans 10 comprises 2 parallel rows, each containing 3 cansnumbered 1, 3, 5 and 2, 4, 6. Immediately beneath the clustered cans isshown a carrier-packaging device of the type fully described in mycopending application Serial No. 861,015. As noted above, the packagingdevice 20 comprises a web 21 and a plurality of container receivingreceptacles 22 projecting from one side thereof. Each receptacl 22 isdefined by an entrance portion 23, a cylindrical constricted tensionband 24, an annular bead receiving recess (best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3)and a disk-shaped end wall or cover portion 26. As noted hereinabove theconstricted tension band 24 is made slightly smaller in diameter thanthe diameter of the side wall of the cans and appreciably less than theoutside diameter of a can head.

As previously noted and illustrated in FIG. 1 the center to centerdistance A between receptacle centers Q of packaging devic 20 ispreferably slightl less than the corresponding center to center distanceB between the centers P of adjacent abutting cans within the cluster 10.However, the distances may be made equal with only a slight sacrifice ofrigidity.

Only the difference in center to center distances measured along thelongitudinal axis of the package is illustrated in FIG. 1, however, itshould be understood that the center to center distances measured alongthe traverse axis of the package may also be equal or slightly less asdiscussed above. That is, the center to center distance between adjacentabutting container, say 5 and 6, is equal to or slightly greater thanthe center to center distance between their respective receptaclesmeasured across the packaging device 20.

According to the improved method of this invention, it is not necessaryto pre-stretch packaging device 20 to assemble the package since thenon-contiguous containers within the cluster 10, i.e. grouped containersnumbered 1, 4, 5 or 2, 3, 6 are separately and successively assembledWith the packaging device 20. In other words, noncontiguous groupedcontainers 1, 4, 5 are first socketed within their respectivereceptacles of the packaging device 20 and grouped containers 2, 3, 6are thereafter also socketed within their respective receptacles. Itshould be noted however that the first group of containers need not befully inserted prior to the second group. It is only necessary that thefirst group lead the other slightly but not appreciably more than thewidth of a can bead, i.e. measured in a vertical plane.

It will be obvious from an examination of FIGS. 2 and 3 that if adjacentcontainers are simultaneously forced into the receptacles 22, theportion of the constricted band 24 between two adjacent pockets willinterfere or be pinched by the contiguous portion of the beads of thecontainers and possibly rupture the band 24. As a result the containerswould not be properly socketed within receptacles 22, or at best wouldbe correctly inserted only by chance and at relatively great pressure.To eliminate the above mentioned interference, it will be obvious thatif one container is first fully socketed within its respectivereceptacle that the resilient thermoplastic material of the packagingdevice 25 will have room to deform and flex before the adjacentcontainer is socketed within its receptacle. The area into which theplastic is allowed to deform is approximately equal to the differencebetween the radius of the side wall of the can and the radius of the canbead as illustrated by the space X shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the distanceX being essentially equal to /2 of the difference between the outsidediameter of the bead and the outside diameter of the can side wall.

The dotted lines of FIG. 2 illustrate the relative over all expanded orstretched position of the packaging device 20 when each of thereceptacles thereof has received a container fully socketed therein,stretching of device 20 being accomplished by the camming action of thecan beads. The packaging device 20 is stretched by the camming action ofadjacent can beads coming into abutment through a double thickness ofplastic defining the annular bead recess 25 of each receptacle. Thesolid lines of FIG. 2 represent the unstretched device 20 or such deviceprior to being filled. For example, assume the central container 4 isforced downwardly between the end containers 2 and 6 which are socketedin their respective receptacles. The beads of the 3 cans are broughtinto contact at the bead annulus 25 and the end containers are cammed orforced outwardly as indicated by the dotted lines representing theassembled containers. Thus, if the end containers in FIG. 3 weresocketed within a receptacle 22 of a carrier-packaging device 26, thedevice will be placed in tension as the end cans are forced outwardly bythe downward movement of the central container.

For purposes of further illustrating the method according to thisinvention FIG. 4 illustrates various packages comprising a plurality ofcontainers supported in a carrier-packaging device of the type describedhereinabove. In each of the views of FIG. 4 the encircled X indicatesthe remote containers of the cluster which are assembled as a group andthe remaining circular representations of containers illustrate a secondgroup of remote containers also assembled as a unit. Obviously eithergroup of containers may be moved toward or into their respectivereceptacles just ahead or leading the other group. Since the essentialspacing along the longitudinal axis of the containers required toprevent binding and pinching of the receptacle sidewalls between thebeads of the con tainers is the width of a can bead (approximately 0.109inch taken along the said longitudinal axis) the total number ofcontainers is substantially simultaneously assembled and the timerequired to assemble all containers simultaneously due to thedifferences in distance travelled is insignificantly increased by theWidth of a can bead.

It should be noted with reference to FIG. 40 that in assembling theclustered containers shown, they must be divided into three groups orstated another way, that only one container can be socketed into itsrespective receptacle at a time.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the method of assembling aplurality of containers with a restricted band type of packaging device,one example of which is disclosed herein and forms the subject matter ofmy copending application Serial Number 861,015, according to the abovedescribed invention can be accomplished rapidly with a minimum of simpleoperations and while prestretching of the packaging device, or thediscrete containers receptacles prior to assembly is quite adequate, theabove described method eliminates the need for prestretching entirely.

The foregoing description is given by way of example and illustrationand is not intended in any limiting sense with respect to the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. A method of assembling a plurality of containers with acarrier-packaging device of the type comprising a generally planar sheethaving a cluster of container-receiving-receptacles integral therewithand having a center to center spacing no greater than the center tocenter spacing between abutting correspondingly clustered containers tobe packaged thereby; each of the container receiving receptaclescomprising a cup-like pocket having a restricted band forming a sidewall thereof, said method comprising assembling a plurality ofcylindrical containers in a cluster corresponding with said receptaclecluster wherein said containers are in substantial abutment, the axes ofsaid containers being generally perpendicular to the plane of saidcarrier packaging device, moving a noncontiguous first group ofcontainers within said container cluster in a direction generallyparallel to their axes and into corresponding receptacles of saidreceptacle cluster and thereafter moving the remaining groupedcontainers of said container cluster generally parallel to their axesand into their corresponding receptacles, wherein said remaining groupedcontainers are laggingly spaced from said first grouped containers.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said clus ter comprises atleast two rows of containers wherein each row contains a plurality ofsaid containers and said device comprises a like cluster of saidreceptacles, the steps comprising moving remotely spaced containers inone row and the alternate containers in the next adjacent rows ofcontainers into their respective receptacles as a group and moving theremaining containers of said cluster into their respective receptaclesas a group.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said cluster comprises twoparallel rows of containers, each row having three containers thereinand said device having a corresponding cluster of receptacles, the stepscomprising moving the end containers of one row simultaneously with thecenter container of the other row into their respective receptacles as agroup and then moving the remaining containers within said cluster intotheir respective receptacles as a group.

4. The method according to the method of claim 1 wherein said clustercomprises two parallel rows of containers having two containers in eachrow and said packaging device having a corresponding cluster ofreceptacles therein, the steps comprising moving a pair of diametrically opposed containers into their respective receptacles and thenmoving the remaining containers of said cluster into their respectivereceptacles.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said cluster of containerscomprises one row having three con tainers therein and said packagingdevice having a corresponding cluster of receptacles, the stepscomprising inserting the end pair of containers into their respectivepockets and then moving the remaining container of said cluster intotheir respective pockets.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the central container of saidcluster is inserted into the corresponding receptacle of said deviceprior to assembly of the remaining containers of said cluster.

7. A method of assembling a plurality of cylindrical beaded cans in acarrier-packaging device of the type comprising a generally planar sheethaving a cluster of can receiving receptacles, each receptacle beingdefined by a constricted band means integral with a web means, saiddevice characterized by the distance between centers of said receptaclesbeing not substantially greater than the distance between centers ofadjacent cans in bead to bead abutment; said method comprisingassembling said cans in a cluster corresponding with the receptaclecluster of said packaging device, placing said clustered cans injuxtaposition with said packaging device, the axes of said cans beingsubstantially perpendicular to said planar sheet, effecting relativemovement between said carrier packaging device and said containers in adirection parallel to the axes of said containers to assemblenon-contiguous containers within said cluster with the correspondingreceptacles of said device and then moving the remaining containers intotheir respective receptacles following said non-contiguous containers.

8. A method of assembling a plurality of cylindrical beaded cans in acarrier-packaging device of the type comprising a generally planar sheethaving a cluster of can receiving receptacles, each receptacle beingdefined by a constricted band means integral with a web means, saiddevice characterized by the distance between centers of said receptaclesbeing not substantially greater than the distance between centers ofadjacent cans in bead to bead abutment; said method comprising the stepsof assembling said cans in a cluster corresponding with the receptaclecluster of said packaging device, the axes of said cans beingsubstantially perpendicular to said planar sheet, moving at least onecan within said cluster relative to the cans contiguous therewith andgenerally perpendicular to said sheet to socket said one can within acorresponding receptacle of said packaging device, and subsequentlymoving said contiguous cans in a direction substantially perpendicularto the plane of said sheet into their corresponding receptacles wherebyinterference between the beads of said clustered cans entering saidreceptacles is eliminated and said packaging device is placed in tensionupon completion of the assembly of said packaging device and theclustered cans.

9. A method of assembling a plurality of cylindrical beaded cans in acarrier-packaging device of the type comprising a generally planar sheethaving a cluster of can receiving receptacles, each receptacle beingdefined by a constricted band means integral with a web means, saiddevice characterized by the distance between centers of said receptaclesbeing no greater than the distance between centers of adjacent cans inbead to bead abutment; said method comprising the steps of assemblingsaid cans in a cluster corresponding with the receptacle cluster of saidpackaging device, the axes of said cans being substantiallyperpendicular to said planar sheet, moving each can within said clusterhaving a pair of cans contiguous thereto toward said sheet and socketingsaid cans within corresponding receptacles, and thereafter moving theremaining cans within said cluster toward said sheet and socketing saidremaining cans into the remaining corresponding receptacles followingsaid first socketed cans.

10. A method of assembling a plurality of cylindrical containers with acarrier-packaging device of the type comprising a generally planar sheethaving a cluster of container receiving means integral therewith andhaving a center to center measurement no greater than the distancebetween centers of adjacent abutting containers when assembled in acluster corresponding with said means cluster; each of the containerreceiving means comprising a cup-like pocket having the restricted bandforming a side wall thereof, said method comprising assembling aplurality of containers in a cluster corresponding with said containerreceiving cluster, moving non-contiguous containers of said assemblytoward said sheet, the axes of said containers being generallyperpendicular to said sheet and initially restraining movement of theremaining containers of said assembly such that the first group ofnon-contiguous containers are secured within their respective pocketsclosely followed by the remaining containers.

11. A method of assembling a plurality of cylindrical containers with acarrier-packaging device of the type comprising a generally planar sheethaving a cluster of container receiving means defining containerreceptacles having a center to center measurement no greater than thecenter to center measurement between abutting containers when assembledin a cluster corresponding with said receptacle cluster; each of thecontainer receiving receptacles comprising a cup-like pocket having therestricted band forming a side wall thereof, said method comprisingassembling a plurality of containers in a cluster in substantialabutment and in a position to facilitate assembly, moving non-contiguouscontainers within said container cluster toward said sheet and into thecorresponding receptacles, and thereafter moving the remainingcontainers toward said sheet and into their corresponding receptaclesfollowing said first moved containers.

12. A method of assembling a plurality of cylindrical containers with acarrier packaging device of the type comprising a generally planar sheethaving a cluster of container receiving means integral therewith, eachof the container receiving means comprising a cup-like pocket having therestricted band forming a side wall thereof, assembling a plurality ofcontainers in a cluster corresponding with said cluster of containerreceiving means and in substantial alignment therewith, moving saiddevice and said clustered containers relatively toward one another in adirection generally parallel to the axes of said 7 3 containers movablysupporting non-contiguous containers References Cited by the Examinerwithin said Cluster of containers until said remaining con- UNITEDSTATES PATENTS tainers are socketed Within the corresponding containerreceptive means and thereafter immovably supporting said 291181 3/1960Poupltch non-contiguous containers while simultaneously movably 52933566 4/1960 Cransmn XR supporting said remaining containers, andeffecting relative movement between said remaining containers and TRAVISMCGEHEE Primary Exammer' said device to seat said remaining containers.A. E. FOURNIER, Examiner.

1. A METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A PLURALITY OF CONTAINERS WITH ACARRIER-PACKAGING DEVICE OF THE TYPE COMPRISING A GENERALLY PLANAR SHEETHAVING A CLUSTER OF CONTAINER-RECEIVING-RECEPTACLES INTEGRAL THEREWIGHTAND HAVING A CENTER TO CENTER SPACING NO GREATER THAN THE CENTER TOCENTER SPACING BETWEEN ABUTTING CORRESPONDINGLY CLUSTERED CONTAINERS TOBE PACKAGED THEREBY; EACH OF THE CONTAINER RECEIVING RECEPTACLESCOMPRISING A CUP-LIKE POCKET HAVING A RESTRICTED BAND FORMING A SIDEWALL THEREOF, SAID METHOD COMPRISING ASSEMBLING A PLURALITY OFCYLINDRICAL CONTAINERS IN A CLUSTER CORRESPONDING WITH SAID RECEPTACLECLUSTER WHEREIN SAID CONTAINERS ARE IN SUBSTANTIAL ABUTMENT, THE AXES OFSAID CONTAINERS BEING GENERALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE PLANE OF SAIDCARRIER PACKAGING DEVICE, MOVING A NON-